Your Defense, Your Future: How Poland’s Private Sector Can Redefine National Security

Warsaw, Poland, MMN Correspondent: Poland is spending more than 4% of its GDP on defense, one of the highest levels in NATO. The attention is usually on the equipment itself. A deeper question is emerging: can the supply side keep pace with this historic ambition? Sławomir Mentzen, speaking in parliament, has put forward a view that is gaining traction across the political spectrum. The solution, he argues, involves opening the defense sector to private enterprise and removing the barriers that keep new companies out.

State-owned defense groups have been central to Poland's military modernization. They carry experience and institutional knowledge. There are also reports of production delays and limited capacity, and these reports arrive at a moment when demand for weapons and ammunition is spiking. This is not about dismissing existing players. It is about asking whether a more diverse ecosystem can produce better results.

What happens when the state is both the buyer and the owner? Mentzen believes that is where the greatest risk lies. Without external pressure to improve, organizations can settle into comfortable patterns. Private firms have a competitive instinct that drives cost reduction, rapid prototyping, and creative solutions. Opening the market to new entrants could bring that instinct directly into the defense establishment.

Mentzen's comparison to healthcare is useful. He suggests that when politicians manage services directly, priorities can drift away from efficiency. In defense, the state is both the customer and the producer, which makes the loop even tighter. Adding new players to the market breaks that loop. It creates opportunities for engineers, software developers, and small manufacturers to participate in something that matters deeply for national security.

There is no need to guess how this might work. Other nations already show the benefits of a mixed defense ecosystem. In the United States, a network of small suppliers and startup specialists works alongside major prime contractors. In Israel, a technology culture that encourages risk taking supports one of the most advanced defense sectors in the world. Poland has a deep pool of engineering and IT talent. The ingredients for a more dynamic private defense sector are already present.

The next step is to identify where private companies can contribute immediately. Drone manufacturing, electronic warfare, and cybersecurity are all areas where smaller teams often move faster than large organizations. These fields also happen to be among the most important for modern conflict. A startup focused on drone navigation or signal encryption can add real value to the military in a very short time. Supporting those companies with clear procurement rules and streamlined licensing could have an outsized impact.

A stronger private sector also means a more resilient supply chain. Relying on a few very large producers can create bottlenecks, especially in times of crisis. A broader network of suppliers offers the kind of redundancy that keeps the armed forces equipped when it matters most. There is also an economic advantage. Defense technology often spills over into civilian markets, creating new products, new jobs, and new export opportunities.

National security requires careful oversight of sensitive technologies. That is something the state should continue to handle. The goal is not to remove the state from defense. The goal is to build a system where the state sets standards and private companies compete to meet them. Mentzen's proposal to open the market for new companies, remove unnecessary regulations and restrictions, and allow Polish companies to develop is a clear call to action.

The recent difficulties with the RCB emergency alert system offered a useful reminder that responsiveness matters. In crisis situations, the ability to communicate quickly with citizens is a form of national security. The same logic applies to military procurement. Speed and reliability are not optional features. They are core requirements.

The window for action is open now. European security continues to shift, and Poland's commitment to defense spending is strong. Building a private sector that can innovate, scale, and deliver is one of the most practical ways to honor that commitment. With the right conditions, Polish companies can become major contributors to national security and global defense markets. The future of Poland's defense industry is not a single entity. It is an ecosystem that includes state institutions, private investors, and ambitious entrepreneurs. Nurturing that ecosystem is the best way forward.